Join us for what promises to be an enjoyable and exciting learning experience on the Overberg coastline.

This picturesque little fishing village is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets and without a doubt one of it’s most photogenic coastal areas. You can expect white sandstone cliffs, dynamic rockshelves, sea- caves and ship wrecks, all to be found amongst water so turquoise you might believe that you’re in the Seychelles. Combine this with the canola fields of the Overberg and the Cape’s winter weather and you’re inlandscape photography paradise.

This workshop will only accept 5 participants, to keep the experience relaxing and intimate and to allow each participant plenty of one-on-one attention from the guide. This also makes the workshop material and schedule very exible so that we can move around as the light demands.

I have been leading photographic workshops to Arniston for 7 years now and it remains my absolute favourite destination for seascapes in South Africa. It consistently produces fantastic photographs and delivers an overall amazing experience. It has superbly photogenic scenery, stable autumn and spring weather, great self-catering accommodation and it is safe for anyone to walk about with a camera - Hougaard

Itinerary

18 August |Arrive Arniston

19 August | Photograph Arniston & Surrounds

20 August |Photograph Arniston & Surrounds

21 August |Photograph Arniston & Surrounds

22 August|End of Tour

Arniston

Ivory Cliffs & Azure Waters

Photographic Highlights

Tropical Waters

A short stretch of SA's coastline has pearly white sands, which result in turquoise water. Arniston lies in the heart of this beautiful coastline, giving it's seascapes a dreamy tropical element.

Safely Accessible Drama

Seascapes usually involve a lot of risk - the closer you get to the water action, the more dramatic the results. Arniston's rocks allow you to get right above the wave action, but at a safe height out of the waves' reach.

Overberg Farmlands

Our Arniston workshops are timed to coincide with the Canola fields in the Overberg. The best of the farmlands are just a 40min drive away in the 'Golden Triangle' between Bredasdorp, Caledon and Swellendam.

Capturing
The Cauldron

South Africa's most loved Seascape shot

Safety First

Under the right conditions, one can safely stand right on the cauldron's edge with water washing over the entire shelf, creating the magical convergence of lines that made it so famous amongst SA's photographers.

Experience Matters

No one knows the cauldron better than Hougaard and neither him nor any of his clients have ever had any incidents while under his supervision. Three people have lost cameras to the cauldron, but we have gone touble-free for nearly a decade simply by respecting the ocean.

Nailing the Shot

The Cauldron only offers a short window of time in which you can get 'the shot' - Hougaard will make sure that you're using the right settings, filters and composition while keeping an eye on the waves so that you can focus on capturing the perfect moment.

Extra Locations

Meisho Maru

This photogenic shipwreck is a 45min drive away at Cape Agulhas and offers great sunset shots as Arniston is mostly a sunrise-only location.

Extra Locations

Struisbaai Harbour

This beautiful small fishing harbour offers fantastic images under the right conditions and is a popular alternative if conditions at the Meisho Maru shipwreck aren't ideal.

Extra Locations

Overberg Farmlands

August is one of the best times in the farmlands - canola fields, high probability of snow-capped peaks and mist.

Getting There

Arniston is a very easy 200km drive from Cape Town on good paved roads.

Traveling at Arniston

We will photograph all sunrises on the Arniston cliffs, which is about 1km from the house, so we will barely be covering any distance there. A 4x4 vehicle will only get you about 300 meters closer to the cliffs, so you really don't need one. Many participants opt to walk this distance for some exercise.

Struisbaai Shipwreck

The Meisho Maru shipwreck at Struisbaai is about 45min away and we will carpool in two vehicles for this outing.

Farmlands

We may cover up to 200km on a farmland drive and will also carpool for this. The farmlands are mostly good condition dirt roads that can be driven with any vehicle.

Accommodation

See that house perched at the end of the point? That's where we stay - a 7 bedroom gem situated on a cliff edge with 270 degree sea views.

Winter Nights

August is still high winter in the cape. Sunset shoots are usually followed by a fire, red wine and photographic discussions while something delicious cooks in the oven.

Plenty of Space

Counting outside areas, the house has 5 living areas, giving everyone plenty of space to enjoy the downtime in privacy.

Views for Days

Each of the seven rooms have a magnificent sea view. The house has three full bathrooms and two restrooms, so some sharing is inevitable, but there is never a qeue for a shower.

Don't want to stay in the house?

The Arniston Spa Hotel is a 5 minute walk from the house. For an added fee, you can upgrade from the house to the hotel. Please enquire about the cost as it varies depending on your room choice at the hotel.

Photography and Tutoring

During this course we will focus on capturing the best possible images and our time and energy will be prioritised towards being out in the field as opposed to sitting indoors doing presentations. While shooting, Hougaard, will be looking over your shoulder to answer any questions and help you out, whether it is a simple issue like which filter to use or a complex one like how to compose the scene. The small group size allows a lot of in-depth tuition tailored for each person's needs and skill level.

In spare time we will download, edit and review the images captured up until that point.

Difficulty Level

This is a photo tour, which means that our time and energy will be focused on shooting, exploring compositions and discussing the destination and images captured. You should have a decent amount of experience shooting landscapes and be 100% comfortable operating your camera in manual mode.

Do not expect presentations on technical basics like how to use manual mode or jpeg vs. RAW.

Need Basic Training?

Please check out our photo workshops, which are focused on giving you the necessary technical foundation to get started in landscape photography.

The Guide

Hougaard Malan

I first visited Arniston around the age of 10 while on holiday with family and I have been in love with it's incredible seascapes and small-town charm ever since.

2019 marks the 9th year that I've been visiting Arniston for photography and I'm yet to find a better all-round seascape location in SA. It is incredibly photogenic, safe, affordable, close to Cape Town and has a plethora of complementary landscapes in close proximity.

Unfortunately, the cooking duties are too much for the guide and taking someone along to do the cooking is too expensive. Leaving everyone to look after themselves is too wasteful and unsociable.

Our tried and tested method is to supply all the food and split the cooking duties evenly amongst the participants. This way no one will have to spend too much time in the kitchen or break the bank on food.

The guide will do the braai work, while each participant will have a turn to make a brunch or sides for dinner. You are welcome to team up with someone to split the work. We will contact all participants in advance to discuss the food options and what grocery items are required for the meals they would like to make.

On the first day, we need everyone at the house between 12:00-15:00. We'll do an introductory talk and then go for a reconnaissance shoot on the cliffs. After sunset we'll return to the house for dinner and to discuss the days to come. Please note that participants can choose their own rooms on a first come, first serve basis.

During the first shoot, the guide will assess the skill level of each participant in order to identify how best to help each person at their level.

Day 2 + 3 + 4 - Capture Arniston, Meisho Maru + Farmlands

During our three full days at Arniston, the schedule will go roughly as follows, but we do chop and change things depending on what the weather is doing -

Sunrise Shoot: 06:00 - 08:00

During our stay the sun rises at 07:20. In ideal conditions we can start shooting from 06:30, which means coffee at 05:30. Our shoot will last until about 08:00 after which we’ll return to our accommodation.

Brunch: 09:00 - 10:30

After sunrise everyone will have time to shower and pack their gear away and we’ll sit down for a wholesome brunch so that everyone can just do a light lunch snack at their own convenience.

Editing Time: 10:30 - 12:00

This time will be dedicated to downloading, editing and image review.

Afternoon Break: 12:00 - 15:00

We will try to give the participants and the guide enough time each afternoon for a power nap or personal time.

Sunset Shoot & Dinner: 15:00 - 20:00

During our stay sunset is at 18:00, which means that we need to leave for our sunset shoot between 15:00 - 16:00 depending on the weather conditions. After sunset we’ll head back to our accommodation and get the braai going.

Star Shoot: 20:00 - 22:00

Arniston is not a good location for capturing the night skies. There is a lot of light pollution from Bredasdorp and the shadows below the cliffs are too dark to capture adequately, even at ISO6400 and f/2. If the conditions are absolutely perfect (no wind, clear skies) then we can do a few shots for the fun of it, but energy will be prioritised towards early sunrise shoots. We will not jeopardise the main goal for a failed attempt at capturing the night skies.

Day 5 – End of Tour: One Last Sunrise

On our last morning everything will happen exactly as it did on the three days before - coffee, and a final sunrise shoot.

Participants can then pack up and depart at their own leisure.

We do not do a big breakfast/brunch on the final day as participants normally want to get going and there is no shortage of excellent restaurants along the N2 back to Cape Town.

Struisbaai Harbour from Above

Packing List - Camera Gear

Camera Body - There was a time when we could simply say you need a Nikon or Canon DSLR, but times have changed with the massive variety of cameras now in use. You need a camera, preferably digital, with manual mode. A full frame with good high ISO performance, Live View and Focus Peaking makes landscape photography much easier, but pretty much anything goes. Lenses - The most important lens is a wide angle in the range of 16-35mm. A 24-70mm and 70-200mm (or similar) will be extremely useful for the farmlands scenery.

Backpack - We will be walking a lot, so it is critical to have a comfortable backpack to carry your gear in. We are big loyalists of f-stop gear, which is widely regarded as the world's best camera carry solution.

Tripod - Please make sure you have a solid tripod with an easy-to-operate head that reaches up to your eye height. We will be shooting amongst rocks and on slopes, where you will need some extra length. We recommend SIRUI or Gitzo.

L-Bracket - An L-Bracket is the simplest, greatest tool out there for landscape photographers. It makes portrait and pano shooting a dream. Get in touch to find out which model you need.

Filters - Arniston is a long exposure paradise and any seascape photography demands a comprehensive set of ND filters. Graduated filters will help, but they are not a necessity. We recommend a 0.6 and 0.9 Soft Grad. Ensure that you have a holder with an independently rotating polarizer like the NiSi M75, V5 Pro or S5 system.

Cleaning - Be prepared for seaspray. You'll need a few cloths handy to keep your filters and lenses clean in case the first cloth gets wet.

Packing List - Clothing and Accessories

Clothing

August is still high winter in the Cape and you need to be prepared for cold, wind and rain. If you are someone who gets cold very easily, then a thermal layer is not out of the question. You can pack beanies, gloves and your warmest jacket - you can always take a layer off if you are too warm, but being cold will ruin your experience.

Shoes

This is one of the most complicated subjects, but basically you need a pair of comfortable walking shoes as well as a pair of comfortable walking shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Gumboots don't work as they will normally fill with water whenever we do decide to get our feet wet. Water sandals, dive booties or an old pair of takkies work the best.

You don't have to worry too much about grip - the Arniston rocks have a very rough surface that provides excellent grip.

Headlamp

All our days will start and end with a short hike in the dark, so a headlamp is very important. Please ensure that you have a bright, modern headlamp with enough batteries. You become an instant liability to the group if you don't have a light source.

Laptop

As our time and energy will be focused on shooting and not editing, you do not have to bring a laptop along. We will however do some light editing and image review sessions, so it is useful to have.

The Fine Print

Please Read thoroughly

Payment and Cancellation Terms

Payment

This tour is costed in RAND and that is thus the only constant price. All prices shown in other currencies are merely for your convenience and are subject to the fluctuation thereof. We do our best to update foreign currency prices regularly, but we advise that you do a calculation at the current exchange rate for an accurate price in your preferred currency.

In order to secure your spot on this tour, a deposit of R4 000.00 is required. This deposit can be paid by EFT or using any VISA or MASTERCARD card via Payfast. Please note that your spot on the workshop is NOT confirmed until we have received the deposit payment.

Full Payment must be made 60 days prior to the start of the tour. We will send out a final invoice for the full amount to remind you of the due date in safe time. If we have not received your full payment 60 days prior to the start of the tour and you did not inform us of a valid reason for a late payment, Landscape Travel reserves the right to consider your booking as cancelled.

You will need to complete and sign a standard liability disclaimer in order to participate in this tour.

When booking within 60 days of the start of the tour, immediate full payment will be required to secure your spot.

If you have a valid reason for a late payment like being out of telecommunication or waiting for investments to be cashed out, please inform us.

Medical & Camera Insurance

We do not require participants to take out any insurance to participate in this tour/workshop. but we strongly recommend that you update your camera insurance and add all your filters under all-risk. Clifftop shooting and cold fingers are a recipe for disaster.

Cancellation

The deposit is not refundable under any circumstance. When you book a spot on the tour, we make all the necessary bookings with all the third parties and pay their required deposit. Most of the deposits we pay are not refundable and thus we cannot refund your deposit. Whatever we still hold is used to defray the administrative work of changing all the bookings made on your behalf. The only exception will be if you can find a substitute to attend the workshop in your place.

If you need to cancel your participation once you have made full payment, a 75% refund (excluding deposit) will be given up to 30 days prior to the start of the tour.

Landscape Travel reserves the right to cancel the tour if it is necessary or advisable due to events such as outbreak of conflict, government intervention, expiry of concessions or access right or insufficient booking numbers being available. The operation of the tour is at the sole discretion of Landscape Travel, having in mind the welfare of all participants and the safe and prudent operation of the itinerary and program. In such a case all monies paid by participants for the tour, in holding by Landscape Travel, will be refunded to the participants. This excludes deposits or full payments made to 3rd parties involved in the tour like lodges, charter companies or travel agents.

Terms and Conditions

1. The client who signifies his acceptance of a booking does so on behalf of himself and persons under his authority, which means that all are bound by the terms and conditions of Landscape Travel as if they had made the application themselves.

2. Landscape Travel - HM Landscape Photography (PTY) LTD trading as Landscape Travel is a company registered in South Africa with sole director CH Malan. Landscape Travel guides participants on the tour advertised in this document.

3. Payment Terms

This tour will start on the date stipulated in the product title and again repeated under the section 'Itinerary', listed below the introductory paragraph for the product. The cost is R8000 per person on a single or sharing occupancy basis.

The cost for a non-photographic participant/friend/spouse is R5500.00 and such a person has to share a room with a photographic participant.

This tour is costed in RAND and that is thus the only constant price. All prices shown in other currencies are subject to the fluctuation thereof. We do our best to update foreign currency prices regularly, but we advise that you do a calculation at the current exchange rate for an accurate price in your preferred currency.

As stipulated in the payment and cancellation terms, a non-refundable deposit of R4 000.00 is payable when booking.

A final payment of R4 000.00 will be payable 60 days prior to the start of the tour and we will send you a reminder several days before the deadline.

There is one en-suite room available at an additional price of R1000 for the 4 nights.

4. Included in the Tour

Single Occupancy Accommodation in a room at 1 Krantz St, Arniston.

Meals and Drinks as stipulated under 'Food and Catering'

Continuous assistance with your photography and image processing by the guide.

A highly experienced tour leader with great knowledge and experience of landscape photography and the destination.

5. Not Included in the Tour

Lunches

Transport to and from Arniston

Transport at Arniston

Non-meal-time snacks and drinks

Optional activities not indicated as included above.

Alcoholic beverages

Travel visas and associated costs, if applicable

Expenses of a personal nature, not specifically included above.

Credit card surcharges

Guarantee of any specific weather conditions. We always do our absolute best to make sure we visit a destination in the ideal season and this tour is planned in hope of dramatic winter skies and yellow canola fields.

6. Health Considerations

This photo tour is designed to be within the capabilities of average people in good health. Some of the time participants may be required to walk over uneven terrain or trails and occasionally hiking short distances of max. 1km. All with a load of sometimes heavy camera equipment. If you have concerns about your own capabilities and/or fitness as it relates to this photo tour, please contact us to clarify any uncertainties.

By paying the initial non-refundable deposit, you warrant that, to the best of your knowledge you do not have any physical or other disability that would create a risk for you or other participants.

CapturEarth assumes no responsibility for medical care. We will advise the lodges/hotels of any dietary requirements or restrictions for individual participants, if sufficient notice is provided, but we do not assume responsibility for the delivery of such special dietary requirements.

If you sustain an injury or become ill on the photo tour, Landscape Travel reserves the right to continue the photo tour for the benefit of other participants. Landscape Travel will make every effort to assist you while at the same time trying to minimize interruption to the photo tour.

Landscape Travel reserves the absolute discretion, in the event of behaviour detrimental to other participants, to decline any person’s participation at any time during the photo tour and cancel that person’s participation in the photo tour, in which case any refund will be on a recoverable cost basis only.

7. Liability

Landscape Travel does not accept any liability of whatever nature, whether in contract, tort or otherwise, for the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Landscape Travel disclaims liability in contract, tort or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by force majeure or any other event which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on the part of Landscape Travel.